Adjustable air pattern air diffuser

ABSTRACT

An air diffuser providing a selectively adjustable air distribution pattern for use in combination with lighting fixtures or the like. An air distributing plenum is formed by an inner wall surrounding the lighting fixture, or the like and an outer wall spaced from the inner wall and defining an air flow channel between said walls leading to an outlet adjacent the open end of the lighting fixture. The pattern of discharge of air from the channel outlet is selectively controlled by means of an elastic deflector band surrounding and elastically gripping the inner wall, said band extending into the air path in the channel and subject to selective positioning with respect to the channel outlet to deflect the air discharge from the outlet.

[ 51 July 18,1972

United States Patent Gibbs et al.

3,448,675 6/1969 Davies.................................98/40DL3,406,623 10/1968 Lambert...............................

[54] ADJUSTABLE AIR PATTERN AIR I DIFFUSER [72] inventors: James C.

Gibbs; Harry Daninhersch, both Primary Examiner-William E. WaynerAttorney-Munson 8:. Fiddler of Danbury, Conn.

[73] Assignee: Connor Engineering Corporation, Danbury, Conn.

- ABSTRACT An air diffuser providing a selectively adjustable airdistribu tion pattern for use in combination with lighting fixtures orthe like. An air distributing plenum is formed by an inner wall sur- 0 79 l L m3 MD. FA 1] 21 or the like and an outer wall spaced from theinner wall and defining an air flow channel rounding the lightingfixture,

between said walls leading to an outlet adjacent the open end. of thelighting fixture. The pattern of discharge of air from the M 0 83 4 31%M L2. BT20 0 l4 4 "U w WS 9 m nmnb munwo am 1W 3 Mmh "mm Ga s m UhF H555 channel outlet is selectively controlled by means of an elasticdeflector band surrounding and elastically gripping the inner wall, saidband extending into theair path in the channel and subject to selectivepositioning with respect to the channel outlet to deflect the airdischarge from the outlet.

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Straub DL 5 Clains, 3Drawing figures Patnted July 18, 1972 INVENTORS JAMES C. GIBBS HARRYDANINHERSCH ATTORNEYS.

ADJUSTABLE AIR PATTERN AIR DIFFUSER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Thisinvention relates to the art of air diffusers, and more particularly toimproved means for selectively varying the air distribution pattern ofthe air being distributed from an air diffuser of the type employed inconnection with lighting fixtures.

There have been evolved over the years a variety of combined lightingfixtures and air diffusers in which a light bulb enclosing housing issurrounded by an air plenum coupled to an appropriate source of air froman air conditioning or ventilating system. Thus by the installation of asingle fixture, both the lighting fixture and air distribution outlet isprovided. In arranging these fixtures in a given room or other area,primary consideration is generally given to the positioning of thefixture so as to obtain desired lighting patterns in the area. In orderto insure desired distribution of the air from the fixture to the area,it is necessary that appropriate baffling be arranged in the plenum todeflect the discharged air in desired directions in the room or otherarea.

Such baffling, if pre-formed in the plenum, prevents subsequentadjustment such as would be required where conditions in the room orarea are changed, as where different pieces of equipment are broughtinto the area, or there are different furniture arrangements, or otherchanges of occupancy.

In order to provide for selective adjustment of the air distributionpattern, relatively complex mechanical baffles have been employed, whichincrease the cost of the fixture, and which cut down air flow by virtueof the interposition of the baffling in the air flow path.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION It is with the above considerationsin mind, that the present improved adjustable air pattern air diffuserhas been evolved providing a relatively simple and inexpensive means forselectively varying the air flow path from an air diffuser whereby theair distribution path from the discharge opening of an air plenum suchas used in connection with lighting fixtures, may be selectively variedto provide a vertical air distribution pattern or a horizontaldistribution pattern, with intermediate distribution patterns subject toselective attainment.

It is accordingly among the primary objects of this invention to providean improved combined air diffuser and lighting fixture with airdistribution patterns subject to selective adjustment.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for selectivelyadjusting air distribution patterns on air diffusers as employed inconnection with lighting fixtures.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simple and inexpensivemeans for selectively varying air distribution patterns in an airdiffuser.

It is also an object of the invention to provide means for selectivelyvarying air distribution patterns in an air diffuser which minimizesinterference with air flow.

These and other objects of the invention which will become hereafterapparent are achieved by forming a combined lighting and air diffuserfixture with a light enclosing housing defined by an interior wallmember, and an air flow channel formed between the exterior of theinterior wall member, and a spaced exterior wall member. An outlet isprovided between said wall members, and an elastic deflector bandextending into the channel is arranged to encircle the inner wall andelastically grip same so as to be retained in any selective position insaid channel in which positioned. By moving the elastic deflector bandwith respect to the air channel outlet, the air flow path through thechannel may be deflected to provide selective variation between aposition substantially in line with the axis of the air flow channel toa position substantially at right angles to the axis of the air flowchannel. Thus with a conventional downlight fixture combined with an airplenum, such as is installed in ceilings, air distribution patternsvarying from a horizontal air pattern to a vertical air pattern may beobtained.

A feature of the invention resides in the use of a semi-O-ring or rubberor the like elastomeric material of a dimension such as to elasticallygrip the interior wall of the air plenum, with the flat surface of thering lying along the interior wall of the plenum, so as to preventrolling of the elastic member.

An additional feature is that the rounded surface of the O- ring ofi'ersminimal interference with the deflected air stream flow.

Another feature of the invention resides in the fact that the simple,and relatively inexpensive semi-O-ring may be readily installed at anytime and adjusted to provide desired air flow patterns.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The specific details of a preferredembodiment of the invention, and their mode of functioning will beparticularly pointed out in clear, concise, and exact terms inconjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a cross sectional elevational view through a typical recessedincandescent or down light fixture-air diffuser plenum to which theinstant inventive concept has been applied;

FIG. 2 is a schematic detail view at the discharge opening of the airdiffuser-light fixture shown in FIG. 1 with the selectively positionableelastic air deflecting member made in accordance with the teachings ofthis invention arranged to provide for vertical air discharge; and

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross sectional elevational view showing thedischarge opening of the plenum, and illustrating the positioning of theelastic deflecting member to provide for substantially horizontal airdistribution patterns from the plenum.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Referring now moreparticularly to the drawings, like numerals in the various figures willbe employed to designate like parts.

As best seen in FIG. 1, the combined air diffuser and light fixture 10shown as formed to provide what is referred to in the trade as arecessed incandescent or down light fixture 12 combined with an airdiffuser 14.

The light fixture 12, as illustrated is formed with light reflector 15arranged beneath bulb housing 16 in which a flood lamp 17 isillustratively shown as positioned. The lamp bulb 17 is held in socketl8, and the bulb, reflector and socket are all enclosed within aconventional sheet metal housing 19 having a lower wall 20. As will beobserved, the housing 19 is spaced from the bulb enclosure and reflectorto provide an air insulating chamber between the housing and enclosure.It will of course be understood by those skilled in the art that theillustrated fixture 10 is circular in horizontal cross section which istransverse to the illustrated elevation.

The lower wall 20 of housing forms the inner wall of air plenum 25 whichis formed by the channel defined between inner wall 20 and exterior wall27.

The plenum 25, as will be understood by those skilled in the artsurrounds the light enclosure, extending circumferentially thereabout,and is adapted for coupling by duct 29 to an appropriate source of air,as from an air conditioning system or the like. The channel formingplenum 25 has an outlet 30 at the lower end thereof from which the airmay pass from the air flow channel provided by the plenum 25. In theillustrated embodiment, an interior deflection plate 32 iscircumferentially arranged on the interior of outer wall 27. Lowerdeflection flange 34 is provided extending from reflector 15.

In order to provide for control of the distribution of air from outlet30 of the air flow channel provided by plenum 25, a selectivelypositionable deflector band 35 is provided for selective positioningabout inner wall 20. The deflector band, as illustrated, is formed of anendless configuration, semi-circular in cross section, and of anelastomeric material. The diameter of the elastic band is selected of adimension slightly smaller than the circumference of the inner wall 20,so that the band must be slightly stretched over the inner wall 20, as aresult of which it will elastically grip and encircle the inner wall.The diameter of the band in cross section is selected of a size equal tol-30 percent of the distance between the inner wall 20 and outer wall 27of plenum 25, so that the band 35 when positioned in elasticallygripping engagement on inner wall 20 will extend between and 15 percentinto the plenum 25.

OPERATION In use, the aforedeseribed fixture is adapted for positioningin a given room or area, subject to coupling to an appropriate airsupply system, and appropriate wiring to energize the light bulb 17, andto provide for air flow through plenum 25.

In the illustrated embodiment, the fixture is of a recessed incandescentor down liGht type adapted for ceiling installation, as will be apparentto those skilled in the art. Fixtures of this type are conventionallyinstalled in the ceiling C, as shown in FIG. 1.

Air flow from duct 29 enters the plenum 25 surrounding the lightenclosure, and flows downwardly through the air flow channel provided byplenum 25, in the direction illustrated by the dash line and arrows inFIGS. 2 and 3, over interior deflection plate 32, and deflection flange34 out to the room or other area in which the fixture is positioned.

By selecting the point of positioning of the deflector band 35, the airdistribution pattern from the air emerging from outlet 30 may beselectively varied.

Thus as illustrated in FIG. 2, with deflection band 35 positionedadjacent deflector flange 34 beneath interior deflection plate 32, asubstantially vertical air distribution pattern may be obtained.

By raising the deflection band 35 to the position illustrated in FIG. 3,above interior deflection plate 32, air flow is as indicated by thearrows in FIG. 3 to provide a substantially horizontal air distributionpattern.

By varying the position of the band, the air distribution pattern may bevaried.

As a result of this relatively simple and inexpensive expedient,employing the elastic air deflector band 35, installation of thefixture, and subsequent adjustment to provide desired air distributionpatterns in a conditioned area is substantially expedited in aneconomical and efficient fashion.

What is claimed is:

1. An adjustable air pattern air diffuser comprising:

an interior wall member; an exterior wall member spaced from saidinterior wall member and defining an air flow channel between said wallmembers, said air flow chamber having an outlet between said wallmembers; and an elastic deflection band extending into said channel,elastically gripping and encircling said inner wall within said air flowchannel, said band mounted for selec tive shifting over said inner wallto selectively deflect the air stream in said air flow channel prior toits exhaust through said outlet.

2. An adjustable air pattern air difl'user as in claim 1 in which saidchannel is formed with a fixed deflector plate on the outer wall thereofextending into said channel.

3. An adjustable air pattern air diffuser in which said air channel isformed with a deflector flange at the channel outlet.

4. An adjustable air pattern air diffuser in which said deflection bandhas an arcuate surface extending into the channel.

5. An adjustable air pattern air diffuser as in claim 1 in which saidelastic band comprises a semi-O-ring, the diameter of said ring in crosssection being between 10-20 percent of the distance across said channel.

k i k

1. An adjustable air pattern air diffuser comprising: an interior wallmember; an exterior wall member spaced from said interior wall memberand defining an air flow channel between said wall members, said airflow chamber having an outlet between said wall members; and an elasticdeflection band Extending into said channel, elastically gripping andencircling said inner wall within said air flow channel, said bandmounted for selective shifting over said inner wall to selectivelydeflect the air stream in said air flow channel prior to its exhaustthrough said outlet.
 2. An adjustable air pattern air diffuser as inclaim 1 in which said channel is formed with a fixed deflector plate onthe outer wall thereof extending into said channel.
 3. An adjustable airpattern air diffuser in which said air channel is formed with adeflector flange at the channel outlet.
 4. An adjustable air pattern airdiffuser in which said deflection band has an arcuate surface extendinginto the channel.
 5. An adjustable air pattern air diffuser as in claim1 in which said elastic band comprises a semi-O-ring, the diameter ofsaid ring in cross section being between 10-20 percent of the distanceacross said channel.